By Jake Jenkins
MSU Law
Judge Alicia Washington, a 2001 graduate from Michigan State University College of Law who in April was featured on the Commissioner Spotlight for the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, credits her experience at MSU Law for preparing her career in the legal field.
“My time at MSU Law was filled with great hope and pride,” she said. “The support I received from my professors, who provided guidance and assistance throughout my studies, and my fellow students, with whom I studied and worked through courses, helped to enhance my time at MSU Law.”
The Commissioner Spotlight segment highlights the judges, lawyers, and educators from across Illinois who serve as commissioners. The Illinois Supreme Court appoints commissioners to a three-year term of volunteer service and are known for their reputation for professionalism and contributions to the bar and their communities.
She spoke of the hands-on work she did during her time at MSU Law, which opened her eyes to what she is truly doing in the field. She also worked at the MSU Housing Clinic along with an externship at the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and part-time work with Michigan Senator Dianne Byrum, while she was attending evening classes.
“Through these experiences, I recognized that studying law is a privilege and I have a responsibility to utilize my skills for the benefit of others,” she said. “Along with my coursework, these experiences gave me confidence and prepared me to take advantage of opportunities to be the change I wanted to see in various environments.”
Judge Washington made sure to offer a piece of advice to current students while they are training to become leaders in the legal field.
“I often tell law students to remember that they aren’t bound to a specific area of law and sometimes an area of law may find you,” she said. “Let your passion for certain areas of the law develop as you are exposed to unique moments in time.”
Judge Washington, a native of Peoria, Ill., has served as an associate judge on Illinois’ Tenth Judicial Circuit since January of 2016.
She presides in Traffic Court at the Peoria County Courthouse. Earlier in her career, she was a civil attorney at Janssen Law Center and staff attorney at Prairie State Legal Services.
She was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve as a Commissioner on the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism in 2017.
The Commission promotes integrity, professionalism, and civility among the lawyers and judges of Illinois.
Along with receiving her J.D. from MSU, Judge Washington received a master's in leadership in Human Service Administration from Bradley University in Illinois, and a BA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
